Parents play a major role in helping children grow up with healthy habits. Teaching your children to enjoy healthy eating and physical activity at a young age sets them on the path to healthy living for life. Keep these key tips in mind:
Eat a balanced breakfast each day
Eating breakfast helps children get the energy and nutrients they need to have a successful day at school. A balanced breakfast includes vegetables and fruits, whole grains and protein foods. Try these ideas:
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Wake up a little earlier so you will have more time for breakfast together.
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If mornings are rushed, prepare foods ahead of time that you can grab-and-go like hard-boiled eggs, whole grain fruit muffins or granola bars.
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Keep a variety of whole grain breads and cereals on hand to combine with milk or fortified soy beverages, yogurt and fruit.
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Try fruit smoothies made with milk or fortified soy beverage, yogurt and fresh or frozen fruit.
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Keep breakfast exciting by getting creative! Let kids build their own yogurt parfait using nutritious toppings like nuts and seeds, dried fruit, whole grain cereal, unsweetened coconut and more.
Teach children to make wise food choices.
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Make sure most of their choices are foods from Canada’s Food Guide like whole grains, fruit, vegetables and low fat dairy products.
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Make foods higher in fat and sugar like French fries, candy, chips and pop available only once in a while.
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Give your child a chance to make some simple food choices from a young age. For example, 'would you like an apple or a banana?'
Get great tips on using Canada’s Food Guide here.
Foster a healthy relationship with food
Trust your child to know when he or she is hungry or full.
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Avoid telling your kids to finish everything on their plate. This teaches them to eat even when they're already full.
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Avoid using food as a reward or punishment which could lead to overeating or poor choices.
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Let your child decide when he or she has eaten enough or feels like more.
Struggling with a picky eater? A dietitian can help you make sure your child is eating a variety of foods to get all the nutrients they need to grow.
Involve your children in meal planning
Involve your children in helping to plan nutritious meals and snacks.
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Make a game of it by challenging your children to come up with healthy snack and meal ideas using foods they enjoy.
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Shop together for whole grain breads, vegetables and fruit, lower fat milk and alternatives and lean meats or alternatives. Try this grocery store checklist.
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Have children help pack balanced lunches for school.
Try these menu planning tools as a family.
Enjoy meals together
Enjoy mealtimes as a family as often as possible to encourage your children to develop healthy eating habits. Mealtimes provide an opportunity to model healthy eating, talk about your day and connect.
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Pick nights of the week that will be 'family meal nights' that you can all look forward to.
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Make meal prep and cleanup a family affair. Young children can help set or clear the table. Older children can make part of a meal like a salad or even a full meal once a week.
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Avoid eating in front of the television at mealtimes
Get your family moving more
Try these suggestions for getting active every day.
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Build physical activity into your daily routines. Try walking when doing errands or getting to school.
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Help your children learn and practice new skills like tossing a Frisbee, riding a bike or shooting hoops.
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Limit time spent watching television, playing video games or being on the computer.
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Try picking a day or more each week as 'no TV/computer' days.
Get more tips from a parent's guide to physical activity for kids.
Set a positive example
Remember that children learn by example. If they see their parents and siblings enjoying nutritious foods and being active, they will be more likely to follow their lead.
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Shop together for whole grain breads, vegetables, fruits, and protein foods.
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Make wise food choices when shopping or eating out
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Make time to be active with your children a few times a week.
Bottom Line
It’s never too early to start raising kids with healthy habits. By being a positive role model, teaching kids about food, involving them in menu planning, and enjoying meals together, you can start kids off on a healthy path.
You may also be interestedin:
Parent’s Influence on Children’s Eating Habits
Family Meals with no TV
Cooking with Kids
Last Update – June 9, 2021